Detachable handle extension for chain tightener

ABSTRACT

An extension adapted to be mounted removably on the handle of a chain tightener or the like, where the handle includes a lateral projection disposed outwardly from its inner end. The extension includes an elongated lever, a pair of bearings rigidly joined to the lever adapted to engage opposite sides of the handle at points spaced along its length, and a catch rigidly joined to the lever adapted releasably to engage the projection on the inner side thereof to prevent axial separation of the extension and handle.

United States Patent Able [54] DETACHABLE HANDLE EXTENSION FOR CHAINTIGHTENER [72] Inventor: Jesse D. Able, Star Route Box 114,,

Oakridge, Oreg. 97463 [22] Filed: July 20, 1970 [21] Appl.No.: 56,418

[52] U.S.Cl. ..74/544, l6/ll4R,8l/177A [51 1 Int. Cl. ..G05g U114 [58]Field of Search ..74/544, 543, 524, 523, 520, 74/519; 16/114 R, 116;81/177 A; 254/D1G. 3; 287/103 R [56] References Cited UNITED STATESPATENTS 1,643,027 9/1927 Morgan ..81/177 A X [1 1 3,657,944 [451 Apr.25, 1972 1,463,077 7/1923 Gandell ..81/177 A X 1,511,738 10/1924Lownsberyn. ..81/177 A 2,490,739 12/1949 Nesbitt ..81/177 A PrimaryExaminer-William F. ODea Assistant Examiner-F. D. ShoemakerAttarney-Kolisch & Hartwell l ABSTRACT An extension adapted to bemounted removably on the handle of a chain tightener or the like, wherethe handle includes a lateral projection disposed outwardly from itsinner end. The extension includes an elongated lever, a pair of bearingsrigidly joined to the lever adapted to engage opposite sides of thehandle at points spaced along its length, and a catch rigidly joined tothe lever adapted releasably to engage the projection on the inner sidethereof to prevent axial separation of the extension and handle.

7 Claims, 4 Drawing: Figures 1 DETACHABLE HANDLEEXTENSION FOR CHAINTIGHTENER BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention pertains to anextension-adapted to be mounted. removably upon thehandle of a' chaintightener and i tions provided forthe hook mechanisms move through what,

might be thought of as anover-center position relative to the line alongwhich forcesare transmitted to the device through these mechanisms.

The handles in most chain tighteners of thetype generally describedaboveare frequently relatively short, and as a consequence arequitedifficultto operate because they offer poor leverage. To overcome thisdrawback-in the past, users have attempted to improve the leveragesituation by attaching, something: to a handle which, so tospeak,increases itseffective length; Typically, what has been attached toaccomplish this. has been a length" of pipe or the like, which is freelyslipped over thehandle.

While this practice takes care'of the leverage deficiency in tighteners,itcreates an extremely hazardous situation which has, in the past,resulted in severe. injury, and even death, to

numerous persons. The principal danger withthis practice is that duringa.tighteningoperation an extension of this type willslip'axially off atighteners handle, with thelatter thenflying; up and striking theface oftheoperator. This event, in fact, ac-

counts for most of the serious injuriesand deaths resulting from the useof thepractice. A -further danger is that, during rcleasingof atightener, the extension may be thrown in the air as the tightenershandle flies up from a position locking the tightener in place.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION.

A general object of the present inventionis to provide anovelextensionadapted to be mounted removably on the ham dle. of'a chaintightener and the like which takes care of the problems mentioned abovein a. practical. and satisfactory manner.

More specifically, an object of the invention is to provide such anextensionwhichadequately takes care of theleverage. deficiencycharacterizing. conventional chain tighteners and the like, while. at.the same time avoiding the introduction of hazards suchas thosementioned above.

According to apreferred embodiment of the invention, the proposedextension comprises an:elongated lever, and a pair of bearingsjoinedrigidly adjacent one end of the lever, with. such bearings spacedapart from one anotherboth longitu-v dinally and transversely withrespect to the longitudinal axis of sion of the type just outlined,which is relatively simple and compact and economical in construction.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS These and other objects and advantagesattained by the invention will become more fully apparent as thedescription which follows is read in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings, wherein:

outline positions in the figure. During this operation, and as FIG. 1 isa fragmentary perspective view illustrating an extension constructedaccording to the invention mounted on the handle of a conventional chaintightener, with the extension, and parts in the tightener, shown in twodifferent positions;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary perspective view, on a larger scale than FIG. 1,illustrating an end of the extension in FIG. 1, with the extensionremoved from the tighteners handle;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged end view looking axially toward the end of theextension illustrated in FIG. 2, with the extension mounted on thetighteners handle; and

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary side elevation, on about the same scale as FIG.1, illustrating several positions which may be occupied by the extensionand handle during a releasing operation of the chain tightener.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Turning now to the drawings, andreferring first to FIG. 1, indicated generally at 10 is a conventionalchain tightener, on the handle of which is mounted removably anextension 12 constructed according to the invention. Tightener 10 is ofthe type commonly used to bind-up or tighten a length of chain, such aschain 14, around a load, such. as log bundle 16 shown fragmentan'ly andin dash-dot outline in the figure. The tightener comprises the usualhandle 18 having the configuration illustrated, and including adjacentits outer end a bulge 20. Such a bulge is conventional, and is found onthe handles of substantially all commercially available chaintighteners. Bulge 20 is referred to herein also as a lateral projection.Pivoted to the handle at 22, 24 are conventional chain-grasping hookmechanisms 26, 28 respectively, including books 26a, 28a, respectively.

In solid outline in FIG. 1, the tightener is shown in the positionwhichit would occupy before a tightening operation with respect to chain14, but after its hooks 26a, 280 have been at tached to links adjacentthe ends of the chain. To ,bindup or tighten chain-14, handle 18 isswung downwardly as indicated by. arrow 30 to place the parts in thetightener in their dash-dot will be appreciated by those skilled in theart, pivot connections 22, 24 move through what might be thought of asan over-center position with respect to the line along which forces aretransmitted to the handle through mechanisms 26, 28. On such occurring,the tightener becomes self-locked in its dash-dot outline position. Aswill also be appreciated by those skilled in the art, substantial forcesbuild up in the parts in the tightener, particularly as connections 22,24 approach and move through the over-center position described, andconsiderable effort is required to operate handle 18 to accomplish thelatter. In many instances, too great an effort is required, and anoperator is unable to complete a tightening operation.

Referring to FIGS. 1, 2, and 3, extension 12, constructed ascontemplated herein, safely overcomes the leverage deficiency. intightener 10. Extension 12 includes an elongated tube, or

of handle 18 which extends between bulge 20 and pivot conare located, isa nection 22. Joined, as by welding, to the near end of tube 32 in thefigures are spaced apart substantially parallel side plates 34, 36having the shapes illustrated. As can be seen, plates 34, 36 extendaxially beyond the near end of the tube. Joined, as by welding, to, andextending transversely between, plates 34, 36 are plates, or bearings,38, 40. Plate 38 is disposed closely adjacent the near end of tube 32,and adjacent the top edges of plates 34, 36. The lower face, 38a (seeFIG. 3), of plate 38 is referred to herein as a handle-engaging portion.Plate 40 is disposed axially outwardly of plate 38 from the near end oftube 32, and is adjacent the bottom edges of plates 34, 36. The top face40a of plate 40 in the figures constitutes a handle-engaging portionherein.

Anchored, as by welding, to the confronting faces of side plates 34, 36,also referred to as retaining numbers, and to plate 38, intermediatefaces 38a, 40a are plates, also referred to as projections, or fingers,42, 44 defining a notch, or catch, 46. Plates 42, 44 occupysubstantially the same plane which is spaced outwardly from the near endof tube 32 in the figures, and which is substantially normal to thelongitudinal axis of the tube. With extension 12 oriented as shown inFIGS. 1, 2, and 3, notch 46 is oriented with its open side at 46a facingdownwardly in the figures. Preferably, the confronting edges of plates42, 44 are angled as shown, whereby the notch converges progressingthereinto from its open side.

While the assembly comprising plates 34, 36, 38, 40, 42, 44 has beenshown as being made up of separate parts, it is appreciated that thisassembly might instead take the form of a unitary casting of similarconfiguration suitably joined to tube 32.

Explaining how extension 12 may be used during a tightening operation,the extension may be fitted onto the outer end of handle 18 asillustrated in FIG. 1. With the extension so mounted, the handle extendsover and engages plate 40, and through notch 46. Bulge 20 is disposedbetween plates 42, 44 and the near end of tube 32, and seats againstthose faces of plates'42, 44 which confront the end of tube 32. Inaddition, the bulge engages face 38a of plate 38.

The tightener may then be operated by swinging downwardly on tube 32,with force transmitted to handle 18 by virtue of engagement thereof byplates 38, 40. Because of the length of tube 32, a considerableimprovement in leverage is attained, whereby it is a relatively easymatter to actuate the tightener to bind-up chain 14. During thisoperation, there is no danger of handle 18 flying or pulling free fromthe extension, since axial retraction of the extension and handle isprevented by virtue of plates 42, 44 engaging the inner side of bulge20. Further, plates 34, 36 along opposite sides of the handle preventlateral escape of the handle from the extension. With the chain properlytightened, extension 12 may readily be removed from handle 18 withoutdisturbing the locked condition of the tightener.

Referring to FIG. 4, the extension may be mounted as shown therein toactuate the tightener handle during a loosening operation. Inparticular, in this situation, the extension is mounted on the handle inwhat might be thought of as a position inverted from that in which it ismounted during a tightening operation. This position is clearlyillustrated in the figure.

With the extension so mounted, tube 32 may be swung upwardly to swinghandle 18, with force transmitted to the handle, again throughengagement thereof by plates 38, 40. Axial retraction of the extensionfrom the handle is, of course, prevented due to engagement of plates 42,44 and bulge 20. After shifting of pivot connections 22, 24 through theovercenter position mentioned earlier, tension in chain 14 tendsautomatically to complete the operation, with handle 18 tending to swingupwardly independently of any force supplied thereto through theextension. As this occurs, at some point during swinging of the handleit swings away from a position engaging plates 38, 40 (as illustrated indash-double-dot outline at the top of FIG. 4), with the outer end of thehandle extending freely upwardly through the region bounded by tube 32,plates 34, 36 and plate 40. Because of this action, there is noappreciable tendency for such swinging of the handle to throw theextension in the air. As a consequence, it is a relatively easy matterfor an operator to hold onto and control the extension.

Thus, the extension proposed by the invention offers a novel andsatisfactory solution to the problem of simplifying and making safe theoperation of a chain tightener and the like.

The extension may readily be mounted removably on the handle of such adevice atv times when required, and when mounted and used, it greatlyimproves the leverage situation. Very importantly, when mounted andoperated with such a device, the extension positively and completelyavoids the hazards discussed earlier.

It will be apparent that relatively simple and economical constructioncharacterizes the proposed extension. Further, it will be appreciatedthat the extension is readily adaptable for use with a wide variety ofsizes and types of chain tighteners and like devices. The exact sizes ofparts in the extension may, of course, be adjusted to take care ofparticular situations.

While an embodiment of the invention has been described herein, it isappreciated that variations and modifications may be made withoutdeparting from the spirit of the invention.

It is claimed and desired to secure by Letters Patent:

1. An extension adapted to be mounted removably on the handle of a chaintightener and the like, where said handle includes a lateral projectiondisposed outwardly of its inner end, said extension comprising anelongated lever,

a pair of bearings rigidly joined to said lever adjacent one endthereof, and spaced apart from one another both longitudinally andtransversely with respect to the longitudinal axis of said lever, saidbearings being adapted to engage opposite sides of said handle at pointsspaced along its length with the extension mounted on the handle, and

a catch rigidly joined to said lever adjacent its said one end adapted,with said extension mounted on said handle and said bearings engagingthe same, releasably to engage said projection on the inner sidethereof, and through such engagement to prevent axial separation of theextension and handle, said catch comprising means defining a notchdisposed in a plane extending transversely of the longitudinal axis ofsaid lever, with said notch having an open side oriented and constructedfreely to admit said handle into said notchwith relative angularmovement in one direction between the extension and handle to seat saidbearings against the latter, and to release the handle from the notchwith relative angular movement in the opposite direction between theextension and handle.

2. The extension of claim 1, wherein each bearing includes ahandle-engaging portion, and said means defining said notch is disposedlongitudinally intermediate said portions.

3. An extension adapted to be mounted removably on the handle of a chaintightener and the like, where said handle includes a lateral projectiondisposed outwardly of its inner end, said extension comprising anelongated lever,

a pair of bearings rigidly joined to said lever adjacent one endthereof, and spaced apart from one another both longitudinally andtransversely with respect to the longitudinal axis of said lever, saidbearings being adapted to engage opposite sides of said handle at pointsspaced along its length with the extension mounted on the handle, andpair of laterally spaced, substantially coplaner fingers joined to saidlever adjacent its said one end adapted to straddle said handle with theextension mounted on the handle releasably to engage said projection onthe inner side thereof and through such engagement to prevent axialseparation of the extension and handle, said fingers defining anopen-sided notch disposed in a plane extending transversely of thelongitudinal axis of said lever, with the open side of said notch beingoriented and constructed freely to admit said handle into said notchwith relative angular movement in one direction between the extensionand handle to seat said bearings against the latter, and to release thehandle from the notch with relative angular movement in the oppositedirection between the extension and handle.

4. An extension adapted to be mounted removably on the handle of a chaintightener and the like, where said handle includes a lateral projectiondisposed outwardly of its inner end, said extension comprising anelongated lever,

a pair of bearings rigidly joined to said lever adjacent one end thereofand spaced apart from one another both longitudinally and transverselywith respect to the longitudinal axis of said lever, said bearings beingadapted to engage opposite sides of said handle at points spaced alongits length with the extension mounted on the handle, and

a catch rigidly joined to said lever adjacent its said one endcomprising a pair of laterally spaced projections defining a notchtherebetween, said projections being adapted, with the extension mountedon the handle and the bearings engaging the same, to straddle the handlereleasably to engage the projection on the handle on the inner sidethereof and through such engagement to prevent axial separation of theextension and handle.

5. The extension of claim 4, wherein said notch has an open side, saidopen side being oriented and constructed freely to admit said handleinto said notch with relative angular movement in one direction betweenthe extension and handle to seat said bearings against the latter, andto release the handle from the notch with relative angular movement inthe opposite direction between the extension and handle.

6. The extension of claim 4, wherein said projections comprise a pair ofsubstantially coplaner fingers disposed in a plane extendingtransversely of the longitudinal axis of the lever.

7. An extension adapted to be mounted removably on the handle of a chaintightener and the like, where said handle includes a lateral projectiondisposed outwardly of its inner end,

said extension comprising an elongated lever, a pair of bearings rigidlyjoined to said lever adjacent one end thereof, and spaced apart form oneanother both longitudinally and transversely with respect to thelongitudinal axis of said lever, said bearings being adapted to engageopposite sides of said handle at points spaced along its length with theextension mounted on the handle,

a catch rigidly joined to said lever adjacent its said one end adapted,with said extension mounted on said handle and said bearings engagingthe same, releasably to engage said projection on the inner sidethereof, and through such engagement to prevent axial separation of theextension and handle, and

a pair of elongated, laterally spaced retainer members extendingsubstantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the lever, disposedon opposite sides of and extending between said bearings, said retainermembers being operable to prevent lateral escape of the handle from theextension.

1. An extension adapted to be mounted removably on the handle of a chaintightener and the like, where said handle includes a lateral projectiondisposed outwardly of its inner end, said extension comprising anelongated lever, a pair of bearings rigidly joined to said leveradjacent one end thereof, and spaced apart from one another bothlongitudinally and transversely with respect to the longitudinal axis ofsaid lever, said bearings being adapted to engage opposite sides of saidhandle at points spaced along its length with the extension mounted onthe handle, and a catch rigidly joined to said lever adjacent its saidone end adapted, with said extension mounted on said handle and saidbearings engaging the same, releasably to engage said projection on theinner side thereof, and through such engagement to prevent axialseparation of the extension and handle, said catch comprising meansdefining a notch disposed in a plane extending transversely of thelongitudinal axis of said lever, with said notch having an open sideoriented and constructed freely to admit said handle into said notchwith relative angular movement in one direction between the extensionand handle to seat said bearings against the latter, and to release thehandle from the notch with relative angular movement in the oppositedirection between the extension and handle.
 2. The extension of claim 1,wherein each bearing includes a handle-engaging portion, and said meansdefining said notch is disposed longitudinally intermediate saidportions.
 3. An extension adapted to be mounted removably on the handleof a chain tightener and the like, where said handle includes a lateralprojection disposed outwardly of its inner end, said extensioncomprising an elongated lever, a pair of bearings rigidly joined to saidlever adjacent one end thereof, and spaced apart from one another bothlongitudinally and transversely with respect to the longitudinal axis ofsaid lever, said bearings being adapted to engage opposite sides of saidhandle at points spaced along its lenGth with the extension mounted onthe handle, and a pair of laterally spaced, substantially coplanerfingers joined to said lever adjacent its said one end adapted tostraddle said handle with the extension mounted on the handle releasablyto engage said projection on the inner side thereof and through suchengagement to prevent axial separation of the extension and handle, saidfingers defining an open-sided notch disposed in a plane extendingtransversely of the longitudinal axis of said lever, with the open sideof said notch being oriented and constructed freely to admit said handleinto said notch with relative angular movement in one direction betweenthe extension and handle to seat said bearings against the latter, andto release the handle from the notch with relative angular movement inthe opposite direction between the extension and handle.
 4. An extensionadapted to be mounted removably on the handle of a chain tightener andthe like, where said handle includes a lateral projection disposedoutwardly of its inner end, said extension comprising an elongatedlever, a pair of bearings rigidly joined to said lever adjacent one endthereof and spaced apart from one another both longitudinally andtransversely with respect to the longitudinal axis of said lever, saidbearings being adapted to engage opposite sides of said handle at pointsspaced along its length with the extension mounted on the handle, and acatch rigidly joined to said lever adjacent its said one end comprisinga pair of laterally spaced projections defining a notch therebetween,said projections being adapted, with the extension mounted on the handleand the bearings engaging the same, to straddle the handle releasably toengage the projection on the handle on the inner side thereof andthrough such engagement to prevent axial separation of the extension andhandle.
 5. The extension of claim 4, wherein said notch has an openside, said open side being oriented and constructed freely to admit saidhandle into said notch with relative angular movement in one directionbetween the extension and handle to seat said bearings against thelatter, and to release the handle from the notch with relative angularmovement in the opposite direction between the extension and handle. 6.The extension of claim 4, wherein said projections comprise a pair ofsubstantially coplaner fingers disposed in a plane extendingtransversely of the longitudinal axis of the lever.
 7. An extensionadapted to be mounted removably on the handle of a chain tightener andthe like, where said handle includes a lateral projection disposedoutwardly of its inner end, said extension comprising an elongatedlever, a pair of bearings rigidly joined to said lever adjacent one endthereof, and spaced apart form one another both longitudinally andtransversely with respect to the longitudinal axis of said lever, saidbearings being adapted to engage opposite sides of said handle at pointsspaced along its length with the extension mounted on the handle, acatch rigidly joined to said lever adjacent its said one end adapted,with said extension mounted on said handle and said bearings engagingthe same, releasably to engage said projection on the inner sidethereof, and through such engagement to prevent axial separation of theextension and handle, and a pair of elongated, laterally spaced retainermembers extending substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of thelever, disposed on opposite sides of and extending between saidbearings, said retainer members being operable to prevent lateral escapeof the handle from the extension.